Admissions Information and Criteria for the M.M.S. in Physician Associate Medicine

Admissions Philosophy and Ideal Candidates

The University of New Haven Physician Associate program is dedicated to the holistic review of each applicant. Thus, there is no minimal GPA to apply to the program. Factors influencing applicant selection for interview and acceptance include evidence of perseverance in past endeavors, clinical work experience, and the personal and professional attributes indicative of potential for success both academically and as a practicing Physician Associate. Ideal candidates include those who have demonstrated resiliency and possess the desire to practice medicine as a Physician Associate with a focus on service consistent with the Planetree philosophy.

Learn more about the Planetree philosophy here: https://www.planetree.org/our-story

Components of evaluation included in the applicant review for Interview include academic and personal capacity for success, mission alignment, and healthcare experience. Academic capacity for success is scored on the following three components; academic trajectory, academic history, and academic rigor of completed coursework. Assessment of personal capacity for success is scored on evidence of an applicant’s ability to care for immediate needs and work towards long-term goals, emotional maturity, demonstrated capacity to work within and navigate systems, evidence of resilience/overcoming obstacles, ability to self-appraise and ability to work as a member of a team. Healthcare experience is scored based upon the number of hours, quality of experience, direct patient interaction and degree of application of skills. Mission alignment is scored based upon evidence of community, school or organizational leadership, personal traits that align with the program mission, diversity and knowledge acquired in and about the care of diverse populations and as a member of a setting in which the applicant has experience with living or working within a diverse population.

The holistic application review results in preference being demonstrated for applicants with one or more of the following - (must be verifiable)

  • Applicants Transitioning from another profession.
  • History of military service
  • Hours of clinical experience that exceed the minimal number required
  • Evidence of resiliency – overcoming personal, academic, professional and/or socio-economic factors to meet the requirements for admission.
  • Evidence of a service-focused work or volunteerism

Applicants selected for, and accepted an interview invitation, will complete three interview components during their on-campus experience. These components are designed to allow for the continued holistic review of each interviewee and are organized as below:

  1. Teamwork Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Contribution, Flexibility, Conflict Resolution and Leadership.
  2. Ethical Dilemma Management: Communication, Analysis of Dilemma and Consideration of Stakeholders (this includes a writing requirement)
  3. Mini Interviews – traditional interview questions aimed at assessing individual applicants' Maturity, Commitment, and Insight.

Minimum requirements for candidacy

Admissions to PA programs are competitive, so, while there are minimum requirements to be considered for admission, ideal candidates will exceed some of these requirements. 

  • Earned Baccalaureate degree. 
  • Completion of all prerequisite course at the time of application.
  • 750 hours of direct patient contact are required at the time of application (will be verified upon acceptance). This experience must be gained in a paid employment position.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Completion of program-specific supplemental questions and the personal statement at no additional cost.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status at the time of application. Applicants with pending citizenship or temporary residency will not be considered. 
  • Applicants educated outside the U.S. must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a transcription evaluation demonstrating academic credit and grades. The TOEFL total score result must be 100 or greater.
  • The program does not accept graduates of foreign/domestic medical school programs.
  • GRE is not required.
  • The program does not grant or award advanced placement.

Required Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisite courses must be completed before application and within 7 years of anticipated matriculation, with the exception of applicants with a history of active-duty military service, who are granted a 10-year pre-application period to complete all required pre-requisite courses. Applicants must have earned at least a "C" in each prerequisite course.

    • Microbiology with Lab (4 credit hour min)
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology (5 credit hours min)
    • Upper-Level Human Biology course (3 credits)
    • Chemistry (Inorganic or Organic with lab (5 credit hours min)
    • Organic or Biochemistry (3 credit hours min)
    • Statistics or Calculus (3 credit hour min)
    • Human Psychology Course (3 credit hour min)

Healthcare Experience and Direct Patient Care Requirements

The program requires at least 750 hours of direct patient care experience at the time of application. All qualifying healthcare experiences must be compensated, occur in person, within the US healthcare system, and must be verified upon acceptance. The program recognizes that not all healthcare experience hours are equal. The program weighs an applicant's level of involvement in patient care, overall quality of healthcare experience, and the level of skill required. 

Interviews, Offers, and Candidacy Status

Applicants are selected for interviews based upon a holistic review of all application materials. Interviews must be completed in person, on campus. Applicants selected for an interview will receive notification of interview invitation.

Post the interview process, all interviewees are considered for admission. The three possible outcomes include: offer of admission, placement upon a wait list, and decline. Candidates who are admitted have 14 days from the date noted on their official acceptance letter to accept admission and secure their seat with a $1,000.00 deposit. Note that deposits are not refundable unless the program is unable to seat a cohort due to accreditation status.

Interviewees placed on a waiting list will be ranked according to application and interview scores and may be offered admission on a space available basis at any time between interview date and matriculation of the cohort. If offered admission while on the waitlist, applicants must accept or decline admission within forty-eight hours of notification and the security deposit must be received within 14 days from the date of notification of admission.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will be notified. Students are not notified that they may not meet minimum requirements before applying and application fees are non-refundable.

Requirements for Enrollment, Matriculation, and the Clinical Year

Immunization and Health Screening Policy

Students are required to have met the University of New Haven requirements for immunization prior to entering the program. Immunizations required by the University are:

  • MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). Vaccines after December 1956 or given before the first birthday are not valid. MMRV is also acceptable.
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. Two doses required or proof of history of disease, or blood test to prove immunity required. MMRV is also acceptable.
  • The State of Connecticut requires that all students living in university housing receive 1 injection of the Meningitis (MCV 4 Sero Groups, A, C, Y and W135) vaccine within five (5) years of enrollment.

Additionally, the program requires the following immunizations based upon current CDC recommendations for immunization of healthcare workers.

  • Hepatitis B Series of three injections. If a student has received the series, but does not have documentation of such, documentation of a Hepatitis B titer must be submitted.
  • Tetanus – students must submit documentation of Td or Tdap within the last eight years. (CDC recommends every 10 years. The program’s 8-year requirement assures this recommendation is met for the duration of the program.) If a student is delayed in graduation, increasing this time frame, the immunization status will be evaluated at time of return to program.
  • TB screening – students must submit documentation of screening (TB blood test or skin test) completed within the two months prior to beginning the program. Yearly screening is required while in the program.
  • Influenza – the program strongly encourages annual influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination may be required for students to complete SCPEs in certain sites and/or specialties. If a student chooses to not receive annual influenza vaccination, graduation may be delayed due to no clinical site availability that does not require this vaccination. In this circumstance, students will incur the added debt associated with extending the duration of their time in the program beyond 24 months. (Tuition, fees, and living expenses, etc.).
  • Covid-19 – the program does not require immunization against Covid-19. However, clinical sites where SCPEs are completed may require immunization. If a student chooses to not receive a Covid-19 vaccination, graduation may be delayed due to no clinical site availability that does not require this vaccination. In this circumstance, students will incur the added debt associated with extending the duration of their time in the program beyond 24 months. (Tuition, fees, and living expenses, etc.).

Health Examination Report

All students entering the University of New Haven must have a completed Health Examination Report on file, thus enabling the Health Services staff to render optimum health care when needed. All students must complete the health examination report before classes begin in the initial enrollment term.

Medical Exemptions

If the required immunizations cannot be received due to medical conditions, a Medical Exemption Certificate should be filled out by a healthcare provider and submitted to the upload email for review. Health services will submit the required documents to the DPH portal as state law requires. Only medical exemptions will be accepted, as religious exemptions are not permitted per state law.

Urine Drug Screenings

The Program requires urine drug screening at key points to ensure student safety, compliance with healthcare standards, and meet clinical site requirements. All students must undergo a drug screen prior to matriculation into the program, with results submitted at least two weeks prior to the first day of orientation. A second urine drug screen is required before the clinical year, and results must be reviewed before placement in clinical rotations. In addition, clinical sites may require additional screenings. Positive results not explained by the testing center’s confirmation process and confirmed, will lead to a possible interruption of student progression in the program up to dismissal from the program. Refusal to undergo urine drug testing will result in revocation of admission or dismissal from the program. This policy is enforced to ensure that PA students meet health and safety standards for clinical practice. The costs associated with the urine drug screenings are the responsibility of the student.

HIPAA-Compliant Document Submission

The University of New Haven uses MyChart document submission to our Office of Health Services. This includes the required physical examination form and required vaccination records. Physician Associate program faculty, program director, and medical director do not access to a student’s health information. The University Office of Health Services notifies the program of each student’s compliance with submission of health form and immunization status.

Student Health Insurance

All full-time undergraduate students, graduate physician associate students, and all full-time international students are required to have health insurance. The University of New Haven offers student health insurance for those who do not have private insurance. Information about the University student health insurance program and the online waiver system for those with private insurance can be found on the Bursar’s Office webpage. For specific questions regarding health insurance, please contact Health Services at (203) 932-7079.

Mandatory Student Accident Insurance

Students must purchase and maintain a supplemental accidental insurance policy while enrolled in the program. The cost is approximately $50.00 annually per student. Plan participation information will be provided to students prior to the program start date.

Technical Standards

Physician Associate students must provide care to patients in a wide range of circumstances and settings to complete the program. Every student must master the required basic knowledge and the application of that knowledge during supervised clinical practical experiences. To do so, students must have sufficient capacities and demonstrate sufficient abilities in Motor/Tactile function, Communication, Observation, Cognitive/Intellectual function, as well as Social and Behavioral attributes.

Each student must demonstrate these capabilities continuously and consistently throughout their enrollment in the program to successfully complete it. No use of technology or surrogate may be utilized to meet these standards.

Students must attest at the time of acceptance of entrance to the program that they meet these technical standards. If at any phase of the program, a student fails to meet these standards, they are not qualified to continue in the program.

Motor/Tactile

 
  • Students must be able to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and all physical exam and diagnostic maneuvers.
  • Students must demonstrate sufficient coordination of fine and gross motor skills, balance/equilibrium, and functional sensation.
  • Students must demonstrate functional capacity to operate equipment and instruments as needed to perform diagnostic tests and procedures.
  • Students must be mobile enough to move from one setting to another in a timely manner.
  • Students must demonstrate stamina in physical, mental, and emotional parameters.

Communication

 
  • Students must be able to receive and process auditory information.
  • Students must be able to write clearly and concisely.
  • Students must demonstrate the capacity to communicate in an empathetic and sensitive manner.
  • Students must be able to synthesize complex information and literature and convey this information in a patient-sensitive and easily understood manner.
  • Students must demonstrate the capacity to recognize non-verbal cues.

Observation

 
  • Student must possess adequate sensory and mental abilities to accurately perceive information in the educational setting – including auditory, visual, tactile, and olfactory.
  • Students must demonstrate the ability to interpret radiography and other graphic images.

Cognitive/Intellectual Function

 
  • To meet program outcomes, students must demonstrate capacity to problem solve and apply critical thinking.

Social and Behavioral Attributes

 
  • Students must possess and demonstrate emotional intelligence and stability.
  • Students must show the ability to form meaningful and productive working relationships with peers and treatment team members.
  • Students must demonstrate the ability to work in small and large groups.
  • Students must possess interpersonal skills adequate to relate to and build meaningful relationships with peers, patients, and family members of patients.
  • The student must demonstrate a compassionate and service driven focus.
  • The student must demonstrate tolerance to ambiguity and flexibility.
  • The student must consistently behave in an ethical and moral manner.
  • The student must demonstrate the capacity to accept constructive criticism, self-assess and modify behavior as needed.